Sandals Barbados

Nice big resort. If you prefer it quieter, book Sandals Barbados, not the Royal one. It's all one big complex but the Pool at the Royal end has the entertainment so is a bit noisy, while the Sandals Barbados pool is smaller, quieter & has very nice cabanas if you can get there early enough. A room was being renovated on the floor beneth us & there was a lot of noise during the day (drilling, hammering). Most of the time we were out of the room but it was an issue when we came in. We did get moved in the end so that was fine in the end. Food was amazing, the Chinese & Indian were the best. We love good food so is an imortant part of choosing a holiday for us. 10 / 10 here. Bowling was good fun, when it worked - always fixed quickly. Most of the staff were great but one of the receptionists was clearly not happy when we complained about the noise. If you go, take a private tour up the West coast of the Island, very beautiful & quite. My only wish was that it was located on a longer beach for nice walks. Would I go back - probably - it's quite expensive & a long flight to go for a week. Definately glad I went & would recommend.

We stayed at Sandles Barbados for 8 days great mix of restaurants. Food was spicy. Room was very small shower 2ft by 6ft water splash out when taking a shower. Most Staff was not friendly. Pool fun was very little. No water volleyball unless we asked . Staff never played in pool . Only played volleyball on sand and it was 2 guests and 8 Staff I guess they liked doing that. Entertainment was not very good . Piano bar was only good Entertainment. Resort grounds were very nice. Head Staff people were very nice. But everyone else you had to ask for help. Southcoast way better

It’s difficult to know where to start as these properties have so much to offer both in size and location. Let’s do positives. The staff here without exception have made it a real pleasure to stay here for a few days. Ask a question and they go out of their way to answer and assist, I found none of the surliness complained about in other reviews. The location on truly icing sugar sands could not be faulted even if at times winds made it unsafe for swimming. The grounds of both properties here, joined at the hip, are an absolute joy and beat many a botanical garden into third place. It is a tribute to the gardeners here that on both properties everything is immaculate. Hummingbirds a plenty, yellow birds of the famous song, herons and so many more make their home here as do the singing frogs at night. Should alcohol rock your boat you certainly won’t go short here, from well stocked minibars in the room, to day or night from the many bars dotted around where service and smiles abound. I won’t dwell on the negatives as not to give fellow travellers the wrong impression. My stay here arranged by an agent who ‘threw in’ my stay here to extend the time here in Barbados other than for just the weeks cruise. For a few dollars more this five star, all inclusive adults only was included. A basic room in the oldest of the twin properties came really as no surprise, tired but functional, sink plugs not working, doors that don’t open properly, near to building noise during the day, you get the picture, though, I have to say every convenience was there, generous space and the room was kept immaculately clean. But then the food, oh dear. Apart from from a few, Cafe de Paris for their delectable Blue Mountain coffee, pastries and ice cream to die for, breakfasts at the la Parisienne restaurant with marvellous views, the Merry Monkey Pub, yes there are even monkeys in the grounds, rowdy at times but at least the food was hot and honest..for a light lunch in the quiet zone, Heart and Sol provided healthy options and excellent service. For me though the hype and menus of their star attractions, several only bookable otherwise long queues, were very disappointing, dishes barely warm at times, poorly presented and vegetables hardly cooked, quality of the meat poor. Let’s just say as food is such a subjective subject that the menus read far better than reality. Butch’s Chop House had perhaps one of the best reputations on the site it was said, one also on the Royal side, but oh dear. Oysters Rockefeller such a disappointment, surf and turf was a joke, tasteless lobster tail, overcooked with no pulled butter just thrown on a plate, the filet mignon superb but minute, and asparagus so al dente as to be raw. I didn’t stay for dessert. Chi was in a glorious setting but there again though my scallops were fresh and tasty they were presented badly on a tasteless broth, the chilli beef looked the ticket and the sauce and accompanying jasmine rice so good, but the main attraction tough chewy gristly such a shame. Managers and supervisors sought, to be fair, by arranging other dishes or replacements when complaining, but let’s get it right in the first place Sandals life’s too short hanging around for a second try and yes service at times was slow. The lobster omelettes for breakfast at la Parisienne Restaurant were sublime but on the first morning from sitting to eating it took a full hour, thank goodness the view was spectacular. So many amenities to enjoy but sadly one feels the stars slipping downwards and perhaps not the five star establishments we are lead to believe. So as my teacher in primary school would say…. Sandals you could do better.

Excellent stay and food spectacular. We had butlers and they were great making the stay superb as always

Claiming to be a world leader in inclusive resorts they were let down by the lack of attention to detail on many fronts. On arrival the room was lacking flannels (wash cloth in us parlance) and robes. The information on the web site & app for the Spices restaurant did not tally with the sheet handed out; it listed lunches as varying international (e.g American, French, English etc.) but was in effect now all Caribbean; so information not in sync. The same went for the wine tasting venue; on the hand out is listed for the American Tavern but was in fact at the Lovers Lane Bowling Alley. The tour desk still displayed the popular Jeep tour on the rolling screen adverts despite this no longer available. It needs joined up thinking when making changes that all points of information are updated in sync thus avoiding guest frustration. I must also comment on the quality of the steaks. Whilst cooked perfectly as requested the quality was another matter being very stringy and tough frequently carrying excess fat. Other guests I spoke with reported the couldn't care less attitude of the staff but this was NOT what we encountered; OK sometimes service was a bit slow but no real issue. The resort was in good decorative order with plenty of pool towels available; but if there were frequent showers with towels getting soaked they would be at a premium but what else would you expect.